Waddle boss of new team

After just five games during the past week, it’s the big kick-off this weekend in ther Blades Superdraw Sunday League.

And expectancy will be high amongst clubs, especially at some of the clubs new to the League.

After more than a century, the world’s second oldest club Hallam FC have decided to have a Sunday team.

They have recruited former England and Owls favourite Chris Waddle as their player manager and with all they have at their disposal they must be one of the favourites to land the Division Two title.

They start with a visit to Cobden View at their Hillsborough College home, but it might not be a pushover for Waddle’s men as Cobden View were relegated from Division One last season and despite their 5-2 reverse at City Taxis last weekend, Cobden will be anxious to make a speedy return.

The most likely challenge to Hallam’s title ambitions will be from another newcomer, City Taxis, who moved from the Meadowhall League. They started with a 5-2 home win against Cobden View and they will start favourites when they face another newcomer, Fox & Hounds Rangers, who have switched from the Imperial League.

The fourth newcomer is Laycock Sports, who have reformed after folding a couple of years ago. They will want to make an immediate impact, but they start against Colley who are capable of beating most teams on their day.

League Champions Stannington Village begin their defence of the title at home against Woodhouse Angel who are more than capable of taking points off them.

Last season’s runners-up Civil Service have a difficult start at Cup holders Redmires, while The Vine will hope home advantage will get them off to a winning start against Bulls Head, who side that flattered to deceive last season.

Two of the promoted clubs face each other, Riverside v Oughtibridge WM who completed the double over their opponents for the past two seasons.

The third promoted club, Brinsworth Whitehill, look to have the hardest start at former champions Stocksbridge Park Steels. It’s Brinsworth’s first ever season in the top flight and their young side will do well to get a point from this one.

In Division One relegated sides Ecclesfield Players Lounge and Handsworth Turf clash. Turf won at Ecclesfield last season but Ecclesfield have the better overall head-to-head record and will start favourites.

The biggest challenge to both club’s title ambitions should come from last season’s Division Two Champions and Sunday Junior Cup winners The Pheasantwho start with a home game against Ranch who took a point at Aston Swallownest last weekend.